West Virginia Morning Update: Tribute to Author Charlie Castner, State Legislative Success, and Community Concerns over Data Centers

On this West Virginia Morning, we remember Charlie Castner, a longtime Louisville & Nashville railroad employee and author, who passed away last month. Castner co-wrote a book titled Big Emma, published in 2024, which explores one of L&N’s most powerful steam locomotives. This engine, affectionately known as Big Emma, was integral in hauling passengers, freight, and coal across eastern Kentucky. Curtis Tate from WEKU’s Appalachia Mid-South Newsroom spoke with Castner's co-author, Ron Flanary, about the book—a project 50 years in the making.

In other news, Governor Patrick Morrisey has hailed the 2026 state Legislative session as a success, expressing optimism for West Virginia's future. Furthermore, state officials are working to keep the public informed about upcoming rural health programs aimed at enhancing healthcare access in the region.

Finally, the announcement of new and proposed data centers has sparked significant attention from the state government, though this enthusiasm is not mirrored in the communities where these facilities will be established.

West Virginia Morning is produced by West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.